King Solomon, son of King David is considered to be the wisest man who ever lived. One night, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him for whatever his heart desired and King Solomon responded “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’” (1 Kings 3:4-15, NIV) God was very pleased with his response and granted him a wise and discerning heart promising Him that there would never be anybody like him. In addition, God granted him what he didn’t even request, riches and honor. 

What is the benefit of wisdom? We are told in Proverbs 3:13-18 that “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” (NIV) 

The Bible is replete with sayings on wisdom and throughout the Scriptures we can read the account of wise leaders as well as foolish ones. Their stories inspire us or caution us on how we should live in reverence to God. One particular passage that has recently encouraged me, as I pondered on the effort that many of us are making in sharing our faith, is Proverbs 11:30 which says: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (NKJV) 

A righteous and wise person’s life is evident of good fruit that honors God. As a disciple of Messiah Jesus, the fruit that I labor to see is the fruit of new souls—born again believers who surrender their lives to Him through genuine repentance unto eternal life—people who turn away from their wicked way of living to a life of righteousness and holiness. We are counted among the wise when we lead and rescue people from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. 

The Apostle Paul was one who strived to win as many as possible to the Lord. As he recounts in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, he became all things to all people so that by all possible means he would save some. We should strive to do the same. 

As much as it depends on us, let us continue to earnestly and compassionately share the gospel with the lost so they may be reconciled to our Heavenly Father and enter into fellowship with Him. But rest assured that for your wise deed you will ever be remembered by the Lord, for according to Daniel 12:3 “those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (NIV)